An elegant, detailed and accurate news site for those interested in the maritime business in the Southeastern United States, Caribbean and Central America

July 09, 2015

A real Ferry Deal Twixt Miami and Havana

Attica Holdings S.A., a member of Marfin Investment Group (MIG), announced that the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), granted Attica approval to operate through its wholly owned US subsidiary, Superfast Ferries(USA) LLC, a marine route between US and Cuba, in connection with travel or transportation of persons, baggage or cargo between the United States and Cuba. Attica is in the process of applying for appropriate regulatory and other approvals from the Cuban government. Attica Group’s financial and operational success in Greece and the broader South European region has provided the platform for this expansion initiative.

The US-Cuba route enables Attica Group to leverage its long industry experience operating in developed and competitive markets and unique know-how in maritime transport, in the fast growing US-Cuban market.Attica’s fleet of 13 modern and technologically advanced vessels include a number of vessels ideally fit for the US-Cuba route. Two of these vessels have initially been identified for this service, each with carrying capacities of about 1,700 passengers, 700 berths and 2,000 lane meters garage, capable of carrying about 570 cars.

All ferries are fully equipped with restaurants, duty free shops, swimming pool, bars, playroom and other family oriented activities. Spiros Paschalis, CEO of Attica Group, stated, “We are pleased to receive the US government approval and are excited to be able to offer service on the historically important US-Cuba marine route. The US license confirms the reliability, trust and superior quality for which Attica Group’s fleet has been internationally renowned for. Our proposed ferry service would provide daily non-stop transportation between the Port of Miami in Florida and the Port of Havana in Cuba, a distance of 230 miles, in less than 10 hours, in a relaxed and casual atmosphere with our usual superior service standards.”

Spiros Paschalis continued, “Opening up the U.S.-Cuba route is an important step in rebuilding relations between the two countries. We hope to be able to provide travelers an opportunity to experience the immense beauty and rich cultural heritage of Cuba. We are proud to be chosen as trusted operators to carry passengers and cargo back and forth to an exciting new destination.”